Charcoal starter structure

ABSTRACT

A charcoal ignition starting device for charcoal briquettes of generally regular configuration, the device including a means for substantially vertically stacking the individual briquettes prior to ignition. The structure includes a sleeve means for providing a stacking column, the sleeve having a generally elongated conical configuration with a diameter generally less than two times the maximum dimension of the individual charcoal briquettes. The base of the sleeve is a plurality of spaced support members to provide spaced apart air flow channels through the base of the open sleeve. A plurality of bores are formed in the wall of the sleeve for receiving a grate means therewithin, the grate means including a gripping handle and a plurality of elongated tines for supporting a column of charcoal briquettes within the open sleeve.

United States Patent 1 1 Simmer CHARCOAL STARTER STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Eugene B. Simmer, 3230 Lee Ave.,

Golden Valley, Minn. 55422 [22] Filed: May 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 251,477

52 us. 01 126/25 B 51 1111. C1. F2311 1/06 58 Field of Search 126/25 1;, 59.5 110 1 F;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1964 Byars et a1. 126/25 B X 11/1962 Miller 126/25 B OTHER PUBLICATIONS Fritos, Hints and Recipes for Outdoor Cooking, July 15, 1957, p. 5.

Primary ExaminerWilliam F. ODea Assistant Examiner-Harold Joyce [57] ABSTRACT A charcoal ignition starting device for charcoal briquettes of generally regular configuration, the device including a means for substantially vertically stacking the individual briquettes prior to ignition, The structure includes a sleeve means for providing a stacking column, the sleeve having a generally elongated conical configuration with a diameter generally less than two times the maximum dimension of the individual charcoal briquettes. The base of the sleeve is a plurality of spaced support members to provide spaced apart air flow channels through the base of the open sleeve. A plurality of bores are formed in the wall of the sleeve for receiving a grate means therewithin, the grate means including a gripping handle and a plurality of elongated tines for supporting a column of charcoal briquettes within the open sleeve.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CHARCOAL STARTER STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a structure for establishing rapid ignition of a plurality of charcoal briquettes of regular configuration. More specifically, the invention is concerned with a device for initiating ignition of charcoal briquettes for home-type barbecue grills and the like. The structure includes an open sleeve means which provides a stacking arrangement with generally elongated conical configuration, with the cone having a predetermined diameter which is generally less than twice the maximum dimension of the individual charcoal briquettes. The structure has been found to provide rapid ignition for briquettes disposed within the stacking column.

In the past, various charcoal igniting or starter structures have been utilized for hastening the ignition of charcoal to be used in a grill-like structure. Also, electrical units have been utilized, however the electrical powered units have generally been slow and undesirable for that reason. The most successful starting material and most widely used is believed to be the petroleum base product which is used to soak the charcoal briquette, and cause the briquette to become ignited upon combustion of the petroleum material.

Various stacking units and assemblies have been proposed, with a variety of configurations. Normally, these fire starters are relatively large in diameter, and arranged to receive a number of briquettes across the diameter thereof. As such, the progress of the flame through the extent of the column is slow and cumbersome, with the energy being dissipated without being transmitted through adjacent briquettes. The apparatus of the present invention overcomes these difficulties by permitting ignition of the briquettes with conventional petroleum base liquids, and with the stacking arrangement being such that optimum advantage can be obtained for progress of the ignition arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the present invention includes an open sleeve for providing a stacking column for a number of charcoal briquettes of conventional, general configuration. These briquettes are normally pillowlike in configuration with a length and width dimension of about 2 inches, and with a thickness of about 1 inch. Such briquettes are, of course, widely commercially available. The sleeve means is open at each end, and has a predetermined diameter which is generally less than 4 inches, or less than two times the maximum dimension of the briquette. The open sleeve is provided with spaced support means to permit air or other gas for supporting combustion to move through the column as required. Also, a plurality of bores are formed in the wall of the sleeve to receive a grate to support the column during the starting operation. Upon completion of the starting of ignition for the briquettes, the grate is removed and the sleeve lifted from the tire bed, permitting the individual briquettes to freely fall from the structure and thereby form an ignited bed.

This structure provides a completely superimposed stacking arrangement, overcoming the disadvantages of previous structures wherein the briquettes were arranged in pyramidal or other loosely stacked arrangement. The intensity of the flame is increased since the charcoal briquettes are confined in a closely stacked arrangement, and the bed is not dissipated over a wide area. The draft velocity is increased through the stack ing arrangement of the present invention, with maxi mum draft velocities having been found to provide increased ignition capability.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved charcoal igniting device which arranges a substantial quantity of charcoal briquettes in stacked superimposed relationship, one upon the other, for providing an improved draft arrangement for igniting the stack.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved charcoal starting apparatus which is in the form of a generally conically formed sleeve having a maximum diameter which is generally less than two times the maximum dimension of the briquettes being ignited.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a generally conically shaped stack or column for receiving charcoal briquettes therewithin, with the column being provided with spaced-apart support legs to permit access to the column of combustion air, and with the device being provided with a grate for supporting the column of charcoal briquettes thereon.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved charcoal starter device of the present invention, and illustrating, in phantom, the manner in which the grate is used to support the briquette column, and further illustrating the general configuration of the support legs;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the conically shaped stack or column, and illustrating the manner in which briquettes are received therewithin;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the diameter of the column at a point above the grate, and illustrating the structure of the grate therewithin in relation to the column; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an implement or tool which can be utilized to lift the structure from the bed following ignition of the briquettes within the column.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With particular attention being directed to the drawing, it will be observed that the charcoal igniting structure generally designated 10 includes a sleeve member 11, generally conical in configuration, supported upon a base member 12. A grate is provided as at 13, with the grate having a gripping handle portion at 14, and a plurality of individual tines 15-l5 extending therefrom. The grate is utilized to support the column of briquettes shown in FIG. 2 as at 17, these briquettes being of the widely commercially used variety having generally regular configuration and having a certain maximum dimension. It will be observed that the largest diameter of the conical sleeve 11 for receiving the briquettes is at the grate area, with this dimension being generally less than two times the maximum dimension of the individual briquettes. This provides a stacking column which achieves maximum ignition in a minimum period of time.

The base 12 is provided with a plurality of support feet 18-18, these support feet being spaced apart in order to provide means for accommodating air flow through the open sleeve. The individual feet members l8-l8 are, as indicated, disposed at the corners of the individual base 12.

As is apparent in FIG. 2, the grate 13 is received within the sleeve through a plurality of bores 20-20, and is readily removable therefrom when it is desired to drop the ignited column of briquettes from the con fining column. As is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the individual tines l-15 of the grate element 13 are passed through the holes 20, generally in a direction parallel to the diameter of the sleeve.

A pair of bores 21-2l are provided adjacent the upper portion of the column for receipt of the lifting tool generally designated 22. Lifting tool 22 has a shank portion 23 along with a handle element 24 for being received within the bores 21-21, this providing a simple and safe means for lifting the sleeve from the freed ignited briquettes.

In operation, therefore, the user loads a charge of briquettes through the upper open end of the sleeve 11, and places the conventional starter fluid thereon. The stack is then ignited, preferably through the bottom opening, with the heat from the flame in the lower portion of the stack generating a prominent draft, and igniting adjacent upwardly disposed briquettes in turn. The transfer of thermal energy will result in ignition of all of the briquettes in the stack. With ignition of the stack being complete, the grate 13 is removed by pulling handle portion 14 outwardly, and thereafter tool 22 is inserted into bores 21-21 of the sleeve, and the user lifts the sleeve from the stack. The fire is then ready for use.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made in this structure, it being further appreciated that the structure illustrated herein is consistent with the manifestation of the preferred embodiment.

I claim:

1. Means for establishing an ignited bed of charcoal briquettes of generally regular configuration and having a certain predetermined maximum dimension, and comprising:

a. open sleeve means providing a chimney stack and having a generally elongated conical configuration with certain predetermined diameters, and defining an ignition column, said predetermined diameters and the diameter of said ignition column along its extent being generally greater than one and generally less than two times that of said certain maximum dimension of said briquettes;

b. a plurality of spaced foot support means secured to the base of said sleeve means and providing spaced-apart channels to accommodate air flow through said open sleeve means;

c. a plurality of bores formed in the wall of said sleeve means for receiving a grate therewithin;

d. grate means for use in combination with said sleeve and comprising a gripping handle and a plurality of elongated tines for receipt within said bores for supporting a column of charcoal briquettes thereon.

2. The charcoal ignition means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said support feet are disposed generally at the corners of a square base pad secured to the bottom end of said open sleeve.

3. The charcoal ignition means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a pair of generally diametrically opposed bores are formed at the top of said sleeve for receiving a shaft therethrough for lifting said sleeve upwardly. 

1. Means for establishing an ignited bed of charcoal briquettes of generally regular configuration and having a certain predetermined maximum dimension, and comprising: a. open sleeve means providing a chimney stack and having a generally elongated conical configuration with certain predetermined diameters, and defining an ignition column, said predetermined diameters and the diameter of said ignition column along its extent being generally greater than one and generally less than two times that of said certain maximum dimension of said briquettes; b. a plurality of spaced foot support means secured to the base of said sleeve means and providing spaced-apart channels to accommodate air flow through said open sleeve means; c. a plurality of bores formed in the wall of said sleeve means for receiving a grate therewithin; d. grate means for use in combination with said sleeve and comprising a gripping handle and a plurality of elongated tines for receipt within said bores for supporting a column of charcoal briquettes thereon.
 2. The charcoal ignition means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said support feet are disposed generally at the corners of a square base pad secured to the bottom end of said open sleeve.
 3. The charcoal ignition means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a pair of generally diametrically opposed bores are formed at the top of said sleeve for receiving a shaft therethrough for lifting said sleeve upwardly. 